Love – Is It Good For Your Health? Here’s The Truth

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Love. 

We often think of it as a feeling. We sing about it in songs, write about it in poems, and talk about it every day. 

We may say “I love you” to friends, family members, and partners. 

We even seek love, finding it a highly desirable and valuable thing to long for and experience in life. 

But does love carry any tangible health benefits? 

Is it actually good for you?

In this post, we’re going to get right to the ‘heart’ of the matter, and discuss whether or not love has any bearing on your health and wellness. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

The Difference Between Romance And Love

First off, it’s important to understand that there’s a difference between the ecstasy of romantic love, infatuation, and limerence… and the calm, stable, clear, satisfaction and joy of long-term love. 

The first type can be full of intense ups and downs—from the heights of romantic ecstasy, to the depths of depression, sorrow, sadness, and anxiety. 

This type of love isn’t necessarily associated with any clear health benefits. 

But this second type of love—the stable, secure, long-term, grounded sort of love—well, that sort of love has actually shown to bring a myriad of benefits to the humans who enjoy it. 

And so, that’s the kind of ‘love’ where you’ll tend to find the greatest benefits from a health and wellness context. 

Let’s discuss a few of the benefits enjoyed by people who frequently experience this type of love in their relationships. 

And what we mean by ‘this type of love,’ is the type of love commonly experienced in marriages, and close relationships with very connected family, friends, and other close loved ones. 

The Benefits Of Close Loving Relationships In A Person’s Life

Here are 10 benefits (according to WebMD) enjoyed by those who tend to have close-knit, calm, connected loving relationships in their lives. 

1. They go to the doctor less often, and hospital visits tend to be shorter
2. They tend to be less depressed
3. They abuse substances less often
4. Lower blood pressure
5. Less anxiety
6. They experience less ‘pain’ in life in general
7. They manage stress better
8. They tend to get fewer colds
9. They tend to heal faster
10. They have an overall happier, healthier life in-general

The link between close, connected, loving relationships and health isn’t exactly known. 

But it’s important. 

It’s probably true, however, that we all already intuitively understand this. 

See, humans are social creatures. 

So what is life if not an opportunity to connect with others?

True, we also like to be alone sometimes. But at the end of the day, the vast majority of humans thrive when they’re well connected, loved, appreciated, and cared for. 

So today, ask yourself this important question. 

Are you investing into loving relationships in life?

If not, it may be in your best interest to do so… not only from a health and wellness standpoint, but also from the standpoint of just wanting to live the happiest, healthiest, fullest life possible.